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Five Ages of Canada

In this book Graham tells the story of Canada in terms of five distinct
and progressive eras — his Five Ages — to Confederation coast-to-coast.

Five Ages of Canada tells the comprehensive tale of the nation’s origins and formation. Graham’s First Age introduces Canada’s First Inhabitants: the Paleo-Indians from Northern Asia, their descendants, and the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of today. The Second Age began in the early 1500s with fishing fleets from England, France, Portugal and the Basque region of Spain who spent their summers fishing offshore Newfoundland. One hundred years later permanent British settlements were established in our Atlantic Province. Samuel de Champlain’s efforts to create New France and the battle for dominion between England and France, constitutes its Third Age, and the Fourth Age covers the fur trade that was responsible for the exploration, mapping and eventual settlement of the west. Lastly, the Fifth Age — which Graham calls “the road to Confederation” — is the story of Sir John A. Macdonald, George-Étienne Cartier and the other Fathers of Confederation. It is also the story of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, legendary Métis leader Louis Riel and much more.

Having long been passionate about the country’s history, Graham and his wife Jay travelled 40,000 km in a Roadtrek camper van, visiting over two hundred historic and heritage sites and countless museums. Graham’s book draws on journal notes, conversations with locals, and research.

Vast in its scope yet personal in its perspective, Five of Ages of Canada illuminates the country’s past in a riveting and original way, garnering deep appreciation and admiration for the people who were here first, and those who strove to achieve independent nationhood.

From the first peoples of Canada through to Confederation and today, Five Ages is a tour guide to ourselves…. Whimsically illustrated by the author … worth reading as we celebrate our 150 years as a country.”Chris HadfieldColonel, Astronaut, best-selling author of An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth and You Are Here

Fives Ages of Canada is available online via Friesen Press, as well as Chapters, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and several others.